Leaning on the Crumbling

This artwork explores the illusion of stability and the subjective sense of security within a shifting environment. The original Lithuanian title, "Pasiremiant ant griūvančios," carries a specific linguistic duality. In the visual context of an archive or a bookshelf, the word pasiremiant refers to a physical action—tilting objects mechanically leaning against one another in search of support. Simultaneously, it reflects a psychological and intellectual process: the human tendency to rely on (pasiremti) prior knowledge, established structures, and habits, often without noticing that the very foundation of those values is already shifting.
​At first glance, the composition creates an impression of order, maintained by the stable square format of the canvas and a balanced, muted color palette. However, this illusion of tranquility is disrupted by underlying compositional details: the uniform tilt of all elements and the visual and physical weight concentrated on the right side through the metal collage. These features introduce tension and reveal a slow, inevitable slide to the right. The artwork captures a fragile moment where the system still holds its shape, even though the process of collapse is already irreversibly underway.
​The choice and juxtaposition of materials emphasize the theme of transience. The piece integrates various metals: steel, copper, brass, zinc and titanium. Their intersection with decaying, rusty textures acts as a metaphor for the effort to sustain a swaying structure through artificial, technical means. Although metal creates a facade of longevity, in reality, it too yields to oxidation and the slow erosion of time.
​The conceptual layer of the artwork is further expanded by an interactive element—the smooth, mirrored surfaces of certain metals. Catching their own reflection, the viewer transitions from a passive observer to an active part of the balancing system. This direct confrontation provokes the questioning of one’s own personal illusions and foundational supports.